Thursday, April 5, 2007

Forestry fines increase in Alberta

It looks like governments are starting to get more serious about decreasing the risk of forest fires and environmental damage caused by human activities. Alberta has increased fines for open fires, collecting firewood, and improper atv use.

I wonder if these fines will really have an effect, most people won't even know about it until they are actually fined for the offense. And I'm not sure why firewood collecting isn't allowed. In BC, you can get a free firewood collecting permit, drive into the forest, and take anything by the roadside that is dead or on the ground. At least that is what I see people doing every fall.

Starting May 1st, fines for starting an open fire within a kilometre of forested public land in the province will rise to $500 from $50.

Anyone caught taking firewood will face a fine of $250, up from $75.

And if you operate a quad or snowmobile outside of designated areas expect to pony up $250, instead of the current $75.


Full story here:
http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=c29f213c-f520-4fc4-a903-b370feebfbfb&k=44313

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